Proverbs 5

Proverbs 5

Warning Against Adultery

1My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,2that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;4but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.6She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.A woman or man who can seduce a partner from their first love is honeyed at first, but in the end there is bitterness in the new relationship. It starts sweetly, but ends bitterly–because of the guilt involved.Adultery with its promise of newness is always tempting, but needs to be rigorously avoided–starting with the first temptations to it, which originate in the mind.

7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,9 lest you lose your honor to others and your dignityto one who is cruel,10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.Don’t take on responsibilities not your own.

11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!13 I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors.14 And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.”

15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?A poignant appeal to marital faithfulness.

21 For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.23 For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.